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A guide to crawfish season in NOLA.
Clesi’s

Where to Get Boiled Crawfish In and Around New Orleans Right Now

Bring a sack home or pick ‘em onsite at these New Orleans-area spots boiling fresh, well-spiced crawfish

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A guide to crawfish season in NOLA.
| Clesi’s

Let’s talk about the crawfish in the room. Those mudbugs are ex-pen-sive! Abnormally hot temperature, close to half the expected total rainfall and a hard winter freeze strained this year’s crawfish harvest dramatically. According to an LSU analysis, the usual 200 million-pound annual catch is cut by about half. Prices are starting to come down from the $10.99 a pound that marked the beginning of Lent, which is some good news. In mid-March, prices hovered between $5.99 and $8.99 a pound. But the truth is, New Orleanians will cut back on some things, but give up crawfish? Hell no.

Because of the unpredictable season, it’s best to call ahead, especially if you’re planning a boil at home and need a few sacks. These are places that can be counted on to have crawfish whenever they’re open if it’s in season. Neighborhood bars are another place to eat boiled seafood, weekends at Oscar’s in Arabi and Tuesdays at Cosimo’s in the Quarter. The Broadside offers free music and crawfish for sale from Crawfish King every weekend though the end of April, doors at 1 p.m.,, music from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

If we missing somewhere to get boiled crawfish right now, send us a tip.

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Bobby’s Seafood

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Bobby’s Seafood in Harahan is a seafood market that sells fresh and boiled seafood, as well as the traditional list of po’ boys (i.e. shrimp, oyster, catfish, roast beef, etc). The food is solid and the freshness of the seafood can’t be beat. It’s mostly a market, but there are a couple of tables.

Seither’s Seafood

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You’ll know you’ve arrived at Seither’s Seafood, in Harrahan when you see a small, brightly colored building in a little parking lot of discarded oyster shells. While Jason Seither’s menu dazzles in its creativity, it also nails the basics, including crawfish — it’s some of the best in South Louisiana, spiced beautifully and served in a fish camp-esque setting that makes the meal that much more enjoyable. There’s live music Thursday through Saturday.

Schaefer's Seafood

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This West End fave was selling crawfish for $5.50 a pound in mid-March, a bargain these days. Fresh seafood gumbo, terrific crab cakes and potato salad too. Fresh fish is also on the menu.

Captain Sid's

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Just down the street from Deanie’s, Captain Sid’s has been around for decades and specializes in fresh and boiled seafood. It’s a tidy operation with no tables, so plan on taking your loot with you. Before you go, check the deli case for stuffed crabs, crawfish pies, alligator sausage, and turtle soup to go. Call ahead to be sure they are boiling.

Schaefer Seafood

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Call ahead to check inventory, price, and to place your order at this beloved Metairie seafood shop. There are no tables here and the line can get long, but after 40 years of serving up some of the best boiled crawfish in town, staff helps it move fast. Check out the turtle soup in the case as well.

Frankie & Johnny's

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An Uptown staple since 1941, Frankie & Johnny’s comes in at a slightly higher price point than many of the other boiling houses ($9 a pound for crawfish in mid-March), but the vibe here is priceless. An old school neighborhood seafood house and tap room, this no-frills spot remains epic.

The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar

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This Lakeside staple offers its seafood with a side of live entertainment every weekend, an ever-lively option for slurping down oysters, crunching into fried seafood, and peeling crawfish. They are currently offered at both Lakeview and Slidell locations, but the restaurant recommends calling ahead first to make sure they haven’t run out.  

Clesi's Restaurant & Catering

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Once a catering operation that gained a following with crawfish boils, Clesi’s is now an essential crawfish destination in Mid City. James Clesi runs the restaurant and the catering arm with his siblings, Carlo and Sonya, serving some of the best crawfish around — think citrus, pepper, and clove. As a bonus, you get to watch them boil.

Porgy's Seafood Market

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Porgy’s, the ambitious new seafood market on North Carrollton Avenue, is dishing up crawfish both boiled and live — not to mention shrimp, oysters, and a whole roster of shrimp. Check Instagram for the latest updates on what’s in the case.

Boil Seafood House

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Boil sits on the bustling corner of Magazine and Louisiana with a menu that includes the once-elusive Vietnamese-style boiled crawfish. Hieu Doan, who just opened sister restaurant Hieux Boil in Mid City, is behind the restaurant, which serves crawfish, crab, shrimp, lobster, mussels, or clams with Vietnamese, Cajun, garlic, or Caribbean flavors, plus diners get to choose how spicy they want their seafood.

BOIL Seafood House crawfish
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Perino's Boiling Pot

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Perino’s Boiling Point is a Westbank staple, a gold standard for boiled seafood since 1972. Family owned — Sam Perino has been in the business more than 40 years — this is a friendly spot for fresh seafood, fried platters and po’ boys.

Broadview Seafood

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Broadview is another great family-run Broad Street seafood market — this one calls itself the “Crawfish House of America.” Good prices and friendly service.

North Broad Seafood

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This grab-and-go, family-owned store on Broad is a hidden gem and one of the most pleasant spots to get boiled crawfish. The Nguyen family took over the ownership of North Broad Seafood back around 2007 and have been cooking up gumbo, po’ boys, red beans, and all varieties of boiled seafood items, known by the neighborhood as one of the best.

Deanie's Seafood

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For now (March 16), only the Bucktown location of Deanie’s is serving boiled crawfish, to go or enjoyed at the table in the ramshackle dining room. The menu has everything on it, from po’ boys and fried platters to stuffed shrimp and flounder, gumbo and the crawfish quartet, a smorgasbord of etouffee, bisque, crawfish balls, and fried tails.

Cajun Seafood (Multiple Locations)

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The Nguyen family boils such flavorful crawfish that there are four locations of the family’s shop, Cajun Seafood. In addition to grabbing bags of crawfish, try the marinated crab claws, stir-fry, yak-a-mein (shrimp, chicken, beef, or combo), and side items like pig feet and turkey necks.

Zimmer's Seafood

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Head down Elysian Fields into Gentilly to hit Zimmer’s on St. Anthony Avenue and you won’t be disappointed. A top crawfish destination, it’s also known for it’s hot sausage po’ boy.

Big Ez Seafood

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There is a lot to enjoy at this West Bank seafood gem, including a top-notch Viet-Cajun boil. Big Ez is one of the best spots to get a big order of boiled crawfish — just be sure to call ahead. Dine in for great prices.

J & J Seafood

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They’ve been using the same boiled crawfish recipe since they opened the doors to J&J’s back in 1991 and that’s good. The crawfish here are so popular that the spot has been known to sell out in under an hour. The focus is the food. Expect no frills or seating, but you will be soooooooo happy.

Salvo's Seafood

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If you’ve ever dreamt of all-you-can-eat seafood that is fresh, perfectly cooked, and flavorful, this is your spot. The special changes daily, so be sure to call ahead or check the website (it only happens at dinner). As far as crawfish, this is the spot for those orders — the price gets lower at five pounds, and again at 20.

Castnet Seafood

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Castnet is a classic New Orleans seafood market in Little Woods, ever reliable for redfish filets, shrimp, crawfish, and even lobster. The charming spot also carries vegetables, locally made delicacies, and since its great return, Hubig’s pies.

Today's Ketch Seafood

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Around (and loved) since the mid-1980s, the delightful Today’s Ketch offers fresh seafood to take home and prepare or the option to enjoy what they’re boiling on site. It offers both boiled and live crawfish, and the price goes down at 10 pounds.

Bobby’s Seafood

Bobby’s Seafood in Harahan is a seafood market that sells fresh and boiled seafood, as well as the traditional list of po’ boys (i.e. shrimp, oyster, catfish, roast beef, etc). The food is solid and the freshness of the seafood can’t be beat. It’s mostly a market, but there are a couple of tables.

Seither’s Seafood

You’ll know you’ve arrived at Seither’s Seafood, in Harrahan when you see a small, brightly colored building in a little parking lot of discarded oyster shells. While Jason Seither’s menu dazzles in its creativity, it also nails the basics, including crawfish — it’s some of the best in South Louisiana, spiced beautifully and served in a fish camp-esque setting that makes the meal that much more enjoyable. There’s live music Thursday through Saturday.

Schaefer's Seafood

This West End fave was selling crawfish for $5.50 a pound in mid-March, a bargain these days. Fresh seafood gumbo, terrific crab cakes and potato salad too. Fresh fish is also on the menu.

Captain Sid's

Just down the street from Deanie’s, Captain Sid’s has been around for decades and specializes in fresh and boiled seafood. It’s a tidy operation with no tables, so plan on taking your loot with you. Before you go, check the deli case for stuffed crabs, crawfish pies, alligator sausage, and turtle soup to go. Call ahead to be sure they are boiling.

Schaefer Seafood

Call ahead to check inventory, price, and to place your order at this beloved Metairie seafood shop. There are no tables here and the line can get long, but after 40 years of serving up some of the best boiled crawfish in town, staff helps it move fast. Check out the turtle soup in the case as well.

Frankie & Johnny's

An Uptown staple since 1941, Frankie & Johnny’s comes in at a slightly higher price point than many of the other boiling houses ($9 a pound for crawfish in mid-March), but the vibe here is priceless. An old school neighborhood seafood house and tap room, this no-frills spot remains epic.

The Blue Crab Restaurant and Oyster Bar

This Lakeside staple offers its seafood with a side of live entertainment every weekend, an ever-lively option for slurping down oysters, crunching into fried seafood, and peeling crawfish. They are currently offered at both Lakeview and Slidell locations, but the restaurant recommends calling ahead first to make sure they haven’t run out.  

Clesi's Restaurant & Catering

Once a catering operation that gained a following with crawfish boils, Clesi’s is now an essential crawfish destination in Mid City. James Clesi runs the restaurant and the catering arm with his siblings, Carlo and Sonya, serving some of the best crawfish around — think citrus, pepper, and clove. As a bonus, you get to watch them boil.

Porgy's Seafood Market

Porgy’s, the ambitious new seafood market on North Carrollton Avenue, is dishing up crawfish both boiled and live — not to mention shrimp, oysters, and a whole roster of shrimp. Check Instagram for the latest updates on what’s in the case.

Boil Seafood House

Boil sits on the bustling corner of Magazine and Louisiana with a menu that includes the once-elusive Vietnamese-style boiled crawfish. Hieu Doan, who just opened sister restaurant Hieux Boil in Mid City, is behind the restaurant, which serves crawfish, crab, shrimp, lobster, mussels, or clams with Vietnamese, Cajun, garlic, or Caribbean flavors, plus diners get to choose how spicy they want their seafood.

BOIL Seafood House crawfish
Josh Brasted/Eater NOLA

Perino's Boiling Pot

Perino’s Boiling Point is a Westbank staple, a gold standard for boiled seafood since 1972. Family owned — Sam Perino has been in the business more than 40 years — this is a friendly spot for fresh seafood, fried platters and po’ boys.

Broadview Seafood

Broadview is another great family-run Broad Street seafood market — this one calls itself the “Crawfish House of America.” Good prices and friendly service.

North Broad Seafood

This grab-and-go, family-owned store on Broad is a hidden gem and one of the most pleasant spots to get boiled crawfish. The Nguyen family took over the ownership of North Broad Seafood back around 2007 and have been cooking up gumbo, po’ boys, red beans, and all varieties of boiled seafood items, known by the neighborhood as one of the best.

Deanie's Seafood

For now (March 16), only the Bucktown location of Deanie’s is serving boiled crawfish, to go or enjoyed at the table in the ramshackle dining room. The menu has everything on it, from po’ boys and fried platters to stuffed shrimp and flounder, gumbo and the crawfish quartet, a smorgasbord of etouffee, bisque, crawfish balls, and fried tails.

Cajun Seafood (Multiple Locations)

The Nguyen family boils such flavorful crawfish that there are four locations of the family’s shop, Cajun Seafood. In addition to grabbing bags of crawfish, try the marinated crab claws, stir-fry, yak-a-mein (shrimp, chicken, beef, or combo), and side items like pig feet and turkey necks.

Related Maps

Zimmer's Seafood

Head down Elysian Fields into Gentilly to hit Zimmer’s on St. Anthony Avenue and you won’t be disappointed. A top crawfish destination, it’s also known for it’s hot sausage po’ boy.

Big Ez Seafood

There is a lot to enjoy at this West Bank seafood gem, including a top-notch Viet-Cajun boil. Big Ez is one of the best spots to get a big order of boiled crawfish — just be sure to call ahead. Dine in for great prices.

J & J Seafood

They’ve been using the same boiled crawfish recipe since they opened the doors to J&J’s back in 1991 and that’s good. The crawfish here are so popular that the spot has been known to sell out in under an hour. The focus is the food. Expect no frills or seating, but you will be soooooooo happy.

Salvo's Seafood

If you’ve ever dreamt of all-you-can-eat seafood that is fresh, perfectly cooked, and flavorful, this is your spot. The special changes daily, so be sure to call ahead or check the website (it only happens at dinner). As far as crawfish, this is the spot for those orders — the price gets lower at five pounds, and again at 20.

Castnet Seafood

Castnet is a classic New Orleans seafood market in Little Woods, ever reliable for redfish filets, shrimp, crawfish, and even lobster. The charming spot also carries vegetables, locally made delicacies, and since its great return, Hubig’s pies.

Today's Ketch Seafood

Around (and loved) since the mid-1980s, the delightful Today’s Ketch offers fresh seafood to take home and prepare or the option to enjoy what they’re boiling on site. It offers both boiled and live crawfish, and the price goes down at 10 pounds.

Related Maps